Do humans become angels when they die?

Question: Do humans become angels when they die? If no, what are they and were they before us? Do they have their own planet? Any information on angels would be helpful. Answer: No, humans do not become angels after death. It is true that after the resurrection, we will have new, spiritual bodies. “So also…

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What is spiritual death?

Question: What exactly is spiritual death? Some say that spiritual death is a separation from God. But what exactly is being separated? A physical separation, personal separation, or soul separation after physical death? If it was a physical separation, then why did God continue to have a relationship with Adam and Eve by clothing them…

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Did Jesus spend three days in hades?

Question: I had a lady try to tell me that Jesus spent three days in Hades before he arose from the grave. I didn’t really get to discuss this with her because she had to leave. How do people come up with this kind of thinking? Answer: Sometimes people make up things, but in this particular…

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Life Beyond the Grave

by Clem Thurman in via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 58, No. 23, June 5, 2009. The salient doctrine of Christianity is the teaching of Jesus Christ about life after death. Most religions have some kind of “hope” about life after death, but only Christianity offers real evidence of that hope and also carefully defines it. Christ…

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What happened to Elijah after he was taken up to heaven?

Question: According to scripture, Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, so does that mean that he is still in heaven with God, Jesus, and the angels? Or is he in hades awaiting judgment with everyone else? Answer: Does it matter? All I can possibly do is answer with the little we are…

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Is it a sin to want to die?

Question: Is it a sin to want to die? Answer: There have been people in the past who because of depression expressed their desire to not continue life. Job rue the day he was born, “Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb?” (Job 3:11).…

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Why is it wrong to pray to saints?

Question: Why is it wrong for Catholics to pray to saints? Answer: Well, first of all, prayers to someone dead is an exercise in futility. The dead cannot hear your prayers. They are no longer involved in life. “For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more…

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Is it proper to have rituals, such as masses, for those who died?

Question: I have a handful of questions about the dead. Is it okay to have masses for the dead? My uncle just past away a few days ago and as relatives, we have to attend the funeral wake for several days. What does the Bible say about people who have passed on along with the…

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Does God still raise people from the dead?

Question: A friend of mine seems to think that it is possible for someone to raise from the dead now. I thought that Jesus was the last person to do that. He seems to think that I am underestimating God’s power. I believe that God can do anything, but I don’t think He will raise…

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Do near-death experiences reflect the afterlife?

Question: I have heard about different accounts that people have had in the afterlife.  I have heard people who were unbelievers say that nothing happened and it was simply dark, but no experience of hell.  I have also heard an account of a pastor who was in a car accident and according to people who…

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Will our dead bodies be physically raised on the last day?

Question: I’ve had someone ask me about where the soul goes after death and how that correlates with the resurrection. I looked up articles on your site and was able to answer most of her questions, but one still remains. In Luke 16:19-31 we, of course, read the account of the rich man and Lazarus, gleaning the spiritual…

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Do people physically go to heaven or hell?

Question: Where is paradise? Is it above the earth or below? When Jesus was raised, how can he be lifted up in the flesh? By flesh, will a man go to heaven or hell? When Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus in what form did they appear, flesh or spirit? Where is third heaven? After…

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Thank you. I found information for a Bible study on your site.

Question: I really appreciate your home page. I was raised in north Alabama in a small church of Christ and now live in Florida. It is sometimes hard to find a congregation that teaches the Bible as you do on your home page. I still attend a Bible-teaching church of Christ and found your site…

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Does the Bible say we will know our loved ones in heaven?

Question: Does it say anywhere in the New Testament that we will know our loved ones in heaven? I have read the scriptures that you gave previously regarding this topic from the Old Testament. Answer: In the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the rich man was able to recognize Abraham and Lazarus while in…

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What happens if we sin just before we die?

Question: For a faithful child of God, one who has put on Christ in baptism, and has lived a faithful life in Christ, but in a moment of weakness commits a sin, which the Scriptures tells us we all do, and he dies in that moment of weakness – do you believe that the blood…

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When are we judged, at death or on the Judgment Day?

Question: Here is something that I am confused about. In I Thessalonians 4:17 Paul told the Thessalonians “then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and shall we ever be with the Lord.” Now in II Corinthians 5:10, Paul…

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Is Enoch included in Hebrews 11:13 when it said all these died in faith?

Question: You said that Enoch did not die.  What about Hebrews 11:13 where it says, “These all died in faith….”? Is not Enoch included in that verse? Answer: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers…

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Where did my stillborn child go upon his death?

Question: I was five months pregnant and was happy to hear I was having a little boy.  My son was so active in me and kicked all the time. One day I noticed that he hadn’t kicked me at all, so I rushed into the hospital to make sure everything was all right and I…

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Is it okay to pray for my dad or does he hear my prayers?

Question: My dad just passed away and I’m worried about his soul. My question is: Is it okay to pray for him and does he hear my prayers? It’s a calming thought that your parents are in heaven watching us like angels. Is this possible, or do they really have no more knowledge of earthly…

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Is there a second chance of salvation after death?

Question: Is there a second chance of salvation after death? Answer: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). The writer is clear that this life is our chance to do God’s will. After this life is over, what comes next is our Judgment. “For we…

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What is God’s view pertaining to cremation?

Question: What is God’s view pertaining to cremation? Answer: When a person dies, his spirit leaves his body. In speaking of his death, Peter said, “knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me” (II Peter 1:14). Peter saw his body as a tent in which his…

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Did Jesus go to Hell?

Question: Did Jesus go to Hell? Answer: The idea comes from a poor choice of words selected by the translators of the King James Version of the Bible. “He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption” (Acts 2:31). The…

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Reflections on a Funeral Service

by Wayne S. Walker Several years ago I had the unpleasant task of attending and participating in the funeral service of a relative. It was not difficult from the standpoint that the deceased was an evil person, for such was not the case. Rather, the distressing aspect was due simply to the sorrow of loss…

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Lesson from a Funeral

by Harry R. Osborne via Guardian of Truth XXXVIII: 21, p. 10, November 3, 1994 Have you been to a funeral lately? None of us enjoys funerals, but the reflection demanded by such occasions is good for us. The Bible speaks of the need to learn the lessons that are taught by facing death’s reality. Notice the…

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How did Saul actually die?

Question: I want to know how Saul died. In I Samuel 31:4 the Scripture says that Saul fell upon his own sword and in verse 6 it says Saul, his three sons, and his armorbearer died that same day. Then in II Samuel 1:10. the Scripture says an Amalekite stood upon him and killed him.…

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Do people know what is happening on earth after their death?

Question: Do saved people, after they go to heaven, know what is going on down here on earth? Answer: Those who have died are no longer involved in the activities on earth. “For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of…

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